Kangas in Jyväskylä
Kangas - a place for growth in the middle of the city
Kangas is the main urban development project of the City of Jyväskylä for the next several decades. Located right next to the City Center we can talk about City Extension when referring to Kangas.
Kangas will be the Smart City area and a living ecosystem of innovative companies and educational institutes. In the future Kangas will be a home to 5 000 inhabitants and 2 100 new jobs. The total investment of Kangas will be approximately 1 billion euros. In 2024 there are already 1500 residents living and 1100 employees working at Kangas.
Kangas area has been a place for new ideas, businesses and innovations for a long time. Already in the middle of 1800’s it was filled with water mills and later there were all kinds of businesses wanting to get their share of the river Tourujoki. Kangas paper mill was opened in 1874. The last paper mill owned by Sappi was closed in 2010 and the area of 27 hectares became the property of the City of Jyväskylä. The new era of Kangas was started.
Kangas has been named Finland's "City District of the Year 2024" for its innovative approach to urban planning and community engagement.
Development themes
Green + Foot
From nature preserved areas to well-groomed greens and River Tourujoki, attractive pedestrian and cycling environment, parking in parking houses.
Sustainable + Heart
Dense urban structure, ecological way of life, carbon neutral city, experiences, vibrancy and community.
Key features of the Kangas area includes:
- Centralized Parking: Parking is allocated to multi-story parking facilities rather than individual plots, which frees up yard space for green areas, recreational spaces, and urban greenery, enhancing the quality of life for residents.
- Shared Courtyards: All courtyards in Kangas are communal, accessible to everyone, and designed around different themes. This approach not only raises the quality of the outdoor spaces but also fosters a sense of community and encourages interaction among residents.
- Resident Portal (Kangasverkko): An interactive digital platform provides residents with easy access to information and services.
- Mustaverkko Fiber Network: Kangas features a city-owned fiber optic network. This shared
network is available to multiple service providers, enabling flexibility and cost efficiency, and
reducing the need to build networks and cables in completed areas. - Centralized Waste Management: Waste disposal is managed through centralized collection points, which reduces the need for service vehicle traffic, frees up space in courtyards, and lowers overall costs.
- ProcentCulture: In Kangas 1% of land sale revenue and construction costs are allocated to
arts, culture, and events enriching the community's cultural life with traditional art, temporary
installations, and performances.
The distinctive features of Kangas and its shared solutions are the result of collaboration between Kankaan Palvelu Oy, YIT Housing Oy, Skanska Talonrakennus Oy, Jyväs-Parkki Oy, and the City of Jyväskylä. This long-term partnership exemplifies genuine cooperation in urban development, ensuring the area's continued evolution.
Smart Ecosystem and Pioneering Spirit
Kangas will be built into a cyber secure area and its ICT infrastructure is based on future projections. The area is partly energy self-sufficient, the fibre networks are reliably maintained. The smart infrastucture benefits homes, businesses, supported living, energy companies and public services. For companies Kangas offers plenty of new opportunities to develop and grow as part of innovative business ecosystem. Two modern office buildings (Kankaan Arkki and Optimes Business Garden) guarantee optimal conditions for work. Valkoinen talo, a former office building, and parts of old paper mill building also provide premises for businesses.
Kangas is being a sandbox for new ideas and technologies, a Living Lab where everyday life can be quantified. Sensor data from the urban environment will be an information gold mine for service developers and researchers. Few projects have already been conducted with the University of Jyväskylä and selected high-tech companies.
Easy living in Sustainable Community
Wise use of resources is one of the main themes in Kangas. Kangas is for example one of the first two areas in Finland that are trying out the One Planet Living approach. Kangas is also designed with a car-free lifestyle in mind.
There is a dedicated service company, Kankaan Palvelu Oy, to support the Kangas area. Services like parking, common areas and waste disposal are produced centrally to make life at Kangas flow easily both for people and businesses. Parking is available in parking carages with modern solutions. Yards are dedicated for people and life. Light traffic lanes are planned carefully to support biking, walking and car-free way of life in general.
1% of building cost are allocated to culture in other words to art and events. There are several works of art in Kangas Area and tens of events organized during a year.
Kangas is located about 600 meters from the City Center and easily reachable from all over the city. The Travel Center of Jyväskylä is located less than 1 km from Kangas and is reached in 20 minutes by foot and 5 minutes by car.